DUMB question, but I got to know??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sam's 72 · 01-20-2003, 04:12 AM

I am going to replece my factory gauges with after market gauges, going to use Autometer. I been looking at the sport comp series, on the amp gauge, should I go with the amp gauge, or go with the volt gauge? What the difference between these two? And would it require wiring it up different if I go with the volt meter? Which one is better Amp, or volt? one more thing, which size should I go with 2 1/16' or the 2 5/8' gauge? Going to mount these gauges in the hole's that the factory gauges are in now. Going to leave the original speed o, and feul gauge, going to install a tach in the middle hole.
Sam

70c10 · 01-20-2003, 08:31 AM

Sam,
I always liked voltage because it's easier for me to understand as far as battery output. The gauge size I believe is 2 1/8". When I hooked up my Volt gauge, I wired the Positive to "ignition unfused" and negative side to a ground. Good luck!

jmil1974 · 01-20-2003, 11:25 AM

Josh,

The 2 1/16 is the size that fits in our small dash holes. I don't think they can be recessed without a ton of work but the look nice sitting flush. The monster 5" ones are the big holes and 3 3/8 for the factory tach hole.

I think volts is what you want unless you'll be doing serious stereo stuff or winching or something.

I think Summit actually has a nice tach that blends pretty well for like $40.

Jason

fatfords · 01-20-2003, 11:43 AM

Sam,
The truck i bought has 2 1/16" Autometer gauges installed. I don't think they are the Sport Comp series, but they look very similar. I will try to attach a pic for you to look at. My personal preference would be for the larger gauges. I would prefer to 'glance' at the gauge and understand it rather than having to 'look' at it to figure out what is says. The sport comps have a 270 degree needle sweep that is very easy to read at a glance.

Voltmeter vs. Ammeter-with a volt meter, you can tell if your regulator is working correctly by monitoring the voltagae at ~14 volts. The ammeter will tell you if current is flowing from the alternator. As long as you understand what the gauges are telling you, either one is about as useful as the other.

Good Luck,
Kent

O'l Buck · 01-20-2003, 12:10 PM

I've always prefered the voltmeter to the ammeter for 2 reasons, the volt meter is easier to hook up, wiring is much more simple. #2, I've seen alternators on the test stand that will push amps, but no volts. They cannot push volts without amps because the amps is what drives the voltage. Your ammeter could be showing you that the alternator is working fine, and all of a sudden, the lights start getting dim, you shut it off at the grocery store, and boom, the battery is dead. If the voltmeter says it's working, it's working.

barn9 · 01-20-2003, 12:54 PM

Hey Sam, did you get that alt. changeover done? Hadn't heard anything from you, so thought I would ask.

sam's 72 · 01-20-2003, 04:15 PM

Thanks for the info guys.
barn9, no! LOL! I have been working damn near everyday every since I got that from you, looks like I might be able to do some thing with this week.
sam

Reumster · 01-20-2003, 04:51 PM

Do all of you with gauge transplants have the lights in the gauges hooked up to the dimmer on the headlight switch?

Longhorn Man · 01-20-2003, 11:22 PM

I installed 2 inch in mine...fint great. Also very easy to read.
I prefer the volt guage over amps any day.

Longhorn Man · 01-20-2003, 11:23 PM

And here they are installed. I have them wired up to the dash lights.

sam's 72 · 01-20-2003, 11:27 PM

I wish I knew more about auto wireing! Guys, when I tell yall that I am weak in this area, I mean I am weak! There is going to come a day real soon that I am going to go with after market gauges, and when I do, man it is going to be a mirical if it all works like I want it too!

Longhorn Man · 01-21-2003, 12:15 AM

Go to the junk yard...or even the parts board, and buy another panel. Then try to do what ever you wanna do. Since it'll be a second (un-needed) panel, it won't matter if you get it all fubared...but if you get it right, you'll have the sweet set up you want, and the knowledge in your head.
Jump in with both feet...you have the urge, this board is your resource, and for a little cash outlay, you'll have the means.

Purs · 01-21-2003, 12:24 AM

like this? I love mine!

72shadetree · 01-21-2003, 12:26 AM

been thinking of doing this myself may just have to jump in and try it

01-20-2003, 04:12 AM	#1
sam's 72 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Pasadena, Texas, USA Posts: 1,005	DUMB question, but I got to know??? I am going to replece my factory gauges with after market gauges, going to use Autometer. I been looking at the sport comp series, on the amp gauge, should I go with the amp gauge, or go with the volt gauge? What the difference between these two? And would it require wiring it up different if I go with the volt meter? Which one is better Amp, or volt? one more thing, which size should I go with 2 1/16' or the 2 5/8' gauge? Going to mount these gauges in the hole's that the factory gauges are in now. Going to leave the original speed o, and feul gauge, going to install a tach in the middle hole. Sam __________________ 72 LWB chevy truck. Pasadena, Texas

01-20-2003, 11:25 AM	#3
jmil1974 Ain't we cute? Join Date: May 2002 Location: Friendswood, TX Posts: 700	Josh, The 2 1/16 is the size that fits in our small dash holes. I don't think they can be recessed without a ton of work but the look nice sitting flush. The monster 5" ones are the big holes and 3 3/8 for the factory tach hole. I think volts is what you want unless you'll be doing serious stereo stuff or winching or something. I think Summit actually has a nice tach that blends pretty well for like $40. Jason __________________ 69 C10 2WD LWB Fleet 350/350 power front disc conversion (6 lug disc kit from gmcpauls) and new engine, PS, A/C, fresh fluids, SHE DRIVES! FOR SALE $3900

01-20-2003, 11:43 AM	#4
fatfords Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 350	Sam, The truck i bought has 2 1/16" Autometer gauges installed. I don't think they are the Sport Comp series, but they look very similar. I will try to attach a pic for you to look at. My personal preference would be for the larger gauges. I would prefer to 'glance' at the gauge and understand it rather than having to 'look' at it to figure out what is says. The sport comps have a 270 degree needle sweep that is very easy to read at a glance. Voltmeter vs. Ammeter-with a volt meter, you can tell if your regulator is working correctly by monitoring the voltagae at ~14 volts. The ammeter will tell you if current is flowing from the alternator. As long as you understand what the gauges are telling you, either one is about as useful as the other. Good Luck, Kent Attached Images __________________ '56 F-100 (w/all GM stuff) Lookin' for another parts chaser! '05 GMC crew cab

01-20-2003, 12:10 PM	#5
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	I've always prefered the voltmeter to the ammeter for 2 reasons, the volt meter is easier to hook up, wiring is much more simple. #2, I've seen alternators on the test stand that will push amps, but no volts. They cannot push volts without amps because the amps is what drives the voltage. Your ammeter could be showing you that the alternator is working fine, and all of a sudden, the lights start getting dim, you shut it off at the grocery store, and boom, the battery is dead. If the voltmeter says it's working, it's working. __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

01-20-2003, 12:54 PM	#6
barn9 Half a bubble off! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Winfield, Ks, USA Posts: 5,588	Hey Sam, did you get that alt. changeover done? Hadn't heard anything from you, so thought I would ask. __________________ Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads.

01-20-2003, 08:31 AM	#2
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Sam, I always liked voltage because it's easier for me to understand as far as battery output. The gauge size I believe is 2 1/8". When I hooked up my Volt gauge, I wired the Positive to "ignition unfused" and negative side to a ground. Good luck! __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

01-20-2003, 04:15 PM	#7
sam's 72 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Pasadena, Texas, USA Posts: 1,005	Thanks for the info guys. barn9, no! LOL! I have been working damn near everyday every since I got that from you, looks like I might be able to do some thing with this week. sam __________________ 72 LWB chevy truck. Pasadena, Texas

01-20-2003, 04:51 PM	#8
Reumster L.E.D. Freak Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Polson MT Posts: 1,358	Do all of you with gauge transplants have the lights in the gauges hooked up to the dimmer on the headlight switch? __________________ Specializing in Custom L.E.D. inserts. http://www.ccled.com/ Contact me @ blazer2wd1972@hotmail.com (406)675-8082 or Joel @ jmcwaters@eps-corp.net 1972 2wd Blazer, 350/700R4/3:73 posi, err & Custom L.E.D. inserts! LOL

01-20-2003, 11:22 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I installed 2 inch in mine...fint great. Also very easy to read. I prefer the volt guage over amps any day. Attached Images

01-20-2003, 11:23 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	And here they are installed. I have them wired up to the dash lights. Attached Images

01-20-2003, 11:27 PM	#11
sam's 72 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Pasadena, Texas, USA Posts: 1,005	I wish I knew more about auto wireing! Guys, when I tell yall that I am weak in this area, I mean I am weak! There is going to come a day real soon that I am going to go with after market gauges, and when I do, man it is going to be a mirical if it all works like I want it too! __________________ 72 LWB chevy truck. Pasadena, Texas

01-21-2003, 12:15 AM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Go to the junk yard...or even the parts board, and buy another panel. Then try to do what ever you wanna do. Since it'll be a second (un-needed) panel, it won't matter if you get it all fubared...but if you get it right, you'll have the sweet set up you want, and the knowledge in your head. Jump in with both feet...you have the urge, this board is your resource, and for a little cash outlay, you'll have the means.

01-21-2003, 12:24 AM	#13
Purs Got Big Block? Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,510	like this? I love mine! Attached Images __________________ "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

01-21-2003, 12:26 AM	#14
72shadetree KEEP ON TRUCKING Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: martinsville va Posts: 2,563	been thinking of doing this myself may just have to jump in and try it __________________ 72 cheyenne 2wd lwb 71 k20 sons bassett va

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